The challenge of balancing vehicle weight with fuel economy was the central topic at a New England Motor Press Association and Massachusetts Institute of Technology conference last Thursday. Panelists representing auto manufacturers, academia and government affairs spoke about the impact of increased fuel economy standards on new car construction, materials and price.
Over the past 30 years, cars have become heavier. A 1983 Honda Accord has a curb weight of 2,300 pounds. The 2013 LX sedan model with an ...
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With concerns about greenhouse gases, importing foreign oil and the government’s Corporate Average Fuel Economy requirement of 54.5 mpg looming, fuel economy is getting unprecedented attention from automakers and consumers. It may seem surprising, then, that while fuel economy is rising, so is the horsepower rating of many cars.
Paul Eisenstein of The Detroit Bureau noticed this phenomenon last month at the New York International Auto Show. He noted that alongside hybrid models such as the Nissan Pathfinder ...
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The 2014 Chevrolet Spark EV has earned a 119 mpg-equivalent combined city/highway fuel economy rating from the EPA, Chevrolet says in a statement. The subcompact Spark EV is expected to travel 82 miles on a fully-charged battery.
The Spark EV edges out the 2013 Honda Fit EV, which has a 118 combined mpg-e rating, the 2013 Fiat 500e’s 116 mpg-e and the 2013 Mitsubishi i-MiEV’s 112 mpg-e, but is beaten by the 2013 Scion iQ EV’s ...
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A study released by J.D. Power and Associates last Thursday shows that car buyers are not happy with the run-flat and low-rolling resistance tires automakers use to improve fuel efficiency.
According to the study, run-flat tires, commonly used on performance sport cars and luxury vehicles, have about a 6,000-mile shorter life span than standard tires. These tires have to be replaced more often than conventional tires and often have to be replaced in pairs. This could make for ...
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As automakers search for new ways to meet the government’s 54.5 mpg Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standard by 2025, diesel engines are becoming more common. While once only found under the hood of heavy duty pickups and the occasional German car, diesel engine’s high torque output and great fuel economy make them viable options for many manufacturers looking to boost their CAFE.
Several automakers are planning to add diesel engines to their engine repertoires in the ...
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